Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner shares massive Juan Soto contract update

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner doesn't want to risk possibly losing star outfielder Juan Soto to free agency. 

During New York's 5-0 win at the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon, YES play-by-play announcer Michael Kay revealed what Steinbrenner had to say about the subject during an upcoming edition of the "Yankees News & Views" podcast hosted by Jack Curry.

"Well, I think we’d like to see him here for the rest of his career," Steinbrenner reportedly said about Soto, as shared by Jimmy Hascup of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "I don’t think there’s any doubt of that. His agent Scott (Boras) doesn’t tend to normally do deals in the middle of the season. Neither do I. I think it could be a distraction. But, as I said in spring training when I met you guys, I mean, this is a unique situation and a very unique player."

Soto joined the Yankees from the San Diego Padres via a December trade and quickly began a love affair with the club's fan base. 

Per ESPN and Hascup, the 25-year-old who remains on track to reach free agency this fall ended Thursday afternoon responsible for a .302 batting average and a .920 OPS on the season. Soto recorded nine home runs with 34 RBI across his first 45 games in pinstripes. 

Soto reportedly wants to reset the market in free agency and allegedly is eyeing a bidding war that could include the Yankees and New York Mets, among other potential suitors. 

Big-spending Mets owner Steve Cohen is expected to heavily pursue Soto assuming the slugger hits the open market after the World Series. 

"So, I mean, I wouldn’t be shocked if there was a conversation or two had, possibly during the course of the season," Steinbrenner added during the podcast. "I think it’s worth doing at some point. I want to give Juan time to really settle in and make sure, you know, have a conversation with him at some point. Make sure that, obviously, the most important thing, is this a place he can see himself for a long time?"

Curry also addressed the podcast episode: